If you told your children there’s a place where they can see dinosaurs and toads, go on scavenger hunts and edible plant hikes – and play with a green alligator – how long would it take them to calm down from all the excitement?
The city of Bastrop is the perfect vacation spot for families. In addition to being welcomed by some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, there are tons of activities for kids of all ages. Start planning a family vacation and make memories that will last a lifetime.
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
The best way to discover all that Bastrop has to offer is to follow the toads (not the spiders, Harry Potter). There are eight small bronze sculptures located throughout the downtown Bastrop area, and your job is to find each one in this fun, walkable scavenger hunt.
Kids can find the sculptures – which were designed by artist and Bastrop resident Clint Howard, who is also known for creating the Buc-ee’s beaver statues found outside Buc-ee’s locations – and win a small prize. The Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center in downtown Bastrop has the official “Toads in Town” pack with hints and information about the Houston Toad, an endangered species in the region. While at the museum, take a look at the collections, exhibits and artifacts that span more than 200 years. Docents are available to guide you through Bastrop during a time when Native Americans inhabited the area to the end of the 20th century. The visitor center staff will be happy to answer your questions about where to find great food, drinks, art and more in the city of Bastrop.
While downtown, check out the art galleries, boutique shops and historical buildings. If your stomach starts growling, choose one of the many Bastrop restaurants, then drop by a sweet shop or bakery, such as Maxine’s Café, where you’ll find delicious pie and cheesecake, or head to Sugar Shack for candy and old-fashioned shakes.
Realistic life-size dinosaurs can be found throughout the outdoor Dinosaur Park museum, open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. A tree-lined nature trail leads visitors to the giant exhibits, which are situated among the plants and trees and show skin and color variations to get a better idea of how they really looked long ago. You may also see live animals, such as rabbits and roadrunners. Other activities include a fossil dig, a playground and a dinosaur store.
Spend a day (or more) at Bastrop State Park, located within the remarkable forest of tall loblolly pine trees known as the Lost Pines. Numerous walking trails – from less than a half-mile to more than 8 miles long – offer multiple opportunities to witness the beauty and wonder of the forest, which is the only ecosystem where the endangered Houston toad lives.
Other activities at the park include fishing, biking, camping, swimming at the park’s pool and looking for wildlife. Geocaching is a fun family event, as everyone can join in and look for hidden items while enjoying the outdoor beauty. If you’re planning to spend more than a day at the park, take advantage of campsites – from tent sites to full-hookup RV areas – or rent a historic cabin.
Situated within the Lost Pines Forest is McKinney Roughs Nature Park, a 1,100-acre area along the Colorado River. In addition to miles of trails and places to go kayaking and river rafting, there is the ultimate aerial adventure at Zip Lost Pines. Visitors of all ages and physical abilities can witness the beauty of the landscape while flying through the air on zip lines, including a kid-friendly option.
The best way to cool down when the temperature rises is to go swimming, and Bastrop has plenty of options to get wet. Dive right into Lake Bastrop, accessible through the Lake Bastrop North and South Shore Parks. You can also rent a canoe, paddleboard, kayak and more for added fun.
If river swimming is more your style, you’re in luck as the Colorado River is an excellent spot for all these activities and more. You can get to the river in Bastrop through popular Fisherman’s Park, a beginning point for both paddling and walking trails. And remember that green alligator? You’ll find “Humphrey” at the Fisherman’s Park Splash Pad, open until Labor Day. Sit back and enjoy watching your kids play among the water features, and try not to laugh too hard when buckets of water occasionally dump their contents right onto your son or daughter.
Another access point to the river is Bastrop County Nature Park, a 24-acre wooded area that includes 7.5 miles of the moderately challenging Lost Pines Nature Trails. Visitors can swim or sit back and relax at the beach area. Barbecue pits and picnic areas offer a great place to enjoy the surroundings with the family.
DO IT ALL
There’s one place that offers practically every activity you can think of – as well as plenty of spots to relax – and is ideal for adults and kids alike. The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, situated on 400 acres next to the Lower Colorado River, has several pools to swim in, but that’s just the start of your adventure.
A few of the activities available for kids are pony rides, zip line and paintball, guided nature adventures, tomahawk and archery practice, creating stuffed animals, up-close animal encounters … and much more. Family Fun Packages are offered for resort guests.
By the way, you’ll find an amazing water park at Lost Pines. Grab a tube and relax in the 1,000-foot lazy river, or take a trip down a two-story waterslide. The kids will also love the splash pad and kiddie pool, with an adult pool for Mom and Dad. If you want to spend some time getting wet but don’t want to book a room at the resort, family day passes are available that offer access throughout the water park.
THE GREAT INDOORS
If you want to take a break from the sun, there’s plenty to do inside as well. At Film Alley in Bastrop, every Tuesday at 10 a.m. is a Family Film Festival. Tickets are only $1, with all proceeds benefiting the Bastrop Family Crisis Center. Concessions will be open, and one lucky guest in each theater will win a prize. Each Tuesday night is Discount Family Movie Night, where tickets purchased for shows after 6 p.m. are $4.50 (plus fees for 3D or ST-Immersive films).
In addition to movies, Film Alley features concessions, arcade games and bowling. In fact, kids can bowl two games for free from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 8 after registration.
At some time in their lives, most people dream of joining the circus. That dream can come true for kids ages 6-14 as Gravity District is offering Summer Circus Camp from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 15-19. Participants will learn a variety of skills through activities such as the trapeze, silks and sling, as well as dancing, acrobatics, arts and crafts and more. On the final day, students can share with their families what they learned during a mini-showcase performance.
Let your toddler or teen reveal his or her creativity during decorating and cooking classes, presented by Johnson’s Bakery on Main Street in Bastrop. There are one-hour decorating classes, as well as 1.5-hour and three-hour cooking classes. Participants can eat what they make and take leftovers home to share with family.
Admission is free to the Lost Pines Art Center, which features art in a variety of media all year long. Open Tuesday-Saturday, the center often showcases multiple exhibitions at one time. Art classes are offered regularly for adults and young people, whether they are beginners or professionals. Hands-on instruction from experienced teachers or guest instructors in unique mediums and modern styles will make for a thrilling experience.
TIME TO EAT!
There’s a world of international food available at Bastrop restaurants, from Mexican to Chinese and much more. Texas cuisine is, of course, represented as well, with burgers and barbecue on many local menus. There are plenty of places as well to find desserts and baked items.
For healthier fare, visit the Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market, held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays year-round. The marketplace offers the opportunity for small family farmers, ranchers, producers and artisans to promote their products and wares. In-season vegetables and fruit, as well as specialty coffees, baked goods, sauces and salsas, fresh herbs and much more will be available for purchase.
From campsites and RV parks to vacation rentals and resorts, Bastrop offers a number of lodging choices while you enjoy the experience of our friendly city. There’s plenty to do in and around our city, so start planning your family’s getaway to the city of fun and adventure.